Antigua gov’t to amend laws to treat young criminals like adults

The government intends to make amendments to the laws governing the Child Justice (Amendment) Act of 2018 to treat young criminals like adults.

In recent weeks, children as young as 13 years have been part of heinous criminal activities in Antigua and Barbuda including rape and murder.

But according to the laws governing these youngsters’ minors under the age of 12 cannot be held liable for criminal offenses and those over 14 are liable to spend no more than three years in prison.

The law also prevents youngsters aged 12 and 13 from receiving jail time however they can receive other sentences or refer to for counseling

But Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin said on Observer radio on Saturday afternoon that the Gaston Browne-led administration intends to make changes to the constitution.

“Many persons are of the opinion that the Child Justice Act somehow prohibits the police from arresting juveniles who commit some serious offenses. But that is not so. Nonetheless, certain lawyers have spoken with me and certain stakeholders have spoken with me as well too. So we shall be looking at that law with the specific purpose of ensuring that the law is so drafted that when young people commit heinous offenses, they are dealt with just as adults in the state of Antigua and Barbuda,” Benjamin said

Adding,  “And I’m very concerned because it appears now from recent incidents that most of these offenses are committed by these young people”

Benjamin said before the amendments can be made, there will be a meeting of stakeholders to determine the best way forward

“We understand that all stakeholders must meet and determine how we proceed, but we are not treating these young people with kid gloves any more. Most of them are hooligans and they’ll be dealt with as they ought to be. We are going to maintain law and order in Antigua and Barbuda,” Benjamin said

These meetings, according to him are expected to be held as early as next week, according to Benjamin, who is also the national security minister

“We have some meetings scheduled for next week and the week thereafter. But the people of this nation must be assured that when young deviants go out of their way to make life unbearable. People are scared of these young people, then the law will come forth and take its proper place to ensure that that behavior is curtailed,” he said

The government has already increased police patrol in the city and installed CCTV cameras in several hot spots.

Last week, a 16-year-old boy was placed on remand after he was charged with the murder of Syrian businessman Roudi Shmaly.